snooker, pool or billiards ball rack

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a device such as a snooker, pool or billiards ball rack for setting such balls in a formation for play. The device comprises a frame for receiving said balls and positioning the balls in formation. A display member is also provided which has indicia provided thereon and which is mountable to the frame to display said indicia. The indicia is typically in the form of commercial advertising indicia and/or corporate trade marks and/or logos, but may also convey a variety of information to the players and/or spectators of the game of snooker, pool or billiards.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from Australian ProvisionalPatent Application No 2005903892 filed on 21 Jul. 2005, the content ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a snooker, pool or billiards ball rackfor setting such balls in a formation for play. In particular, theinvention relates to a device for arranging and setting snooker, pool orbilliard balls or the like in a formation for play that has the facilityto function as an advertising vehicle for displaying information and/orhas a cleaning member to enable a user to clean a surface of the gamingtable.

BACKGROUND ART

In many entertainment venues such as halls, clubs, hotels, pubs and thelike, ball games such as pool, billiards and snooker are popular andprovide a means by which patrons and/or members can compete against eachother in a controlled and organised manner. In many instances, suchgames can be organised into competitions or the like which may besponsored or supported by individuals or companies, such as beveragesuppliers or manufacturers or associated suppliers of products tohotels/clubs and other outlets that provide gaming facilities.

Prior to commencing a game of snooker, pool or billiards, the balls mustfirst be arranged and set into an appropriate configuration, whichtypically depends upon the type of game being played. For most versionsof the game of pool, fifteen balls are used and prior to commencing thegame, the balls are arranged and set in a triangular configuration withthe five balls forming the base of the triangle lined up parallel to theend of the pool table. For other games, such as 9-ball, the nine ballsare arranged and set in a diamond shape. Typically the arrangement ofthe balls depends upon the number of balls being used and the specificrules of the game.

In order to arrange and set the balls in position prior to commencementof a game, the balls are placed within a rack which configures the ballsinto a shape and ensures that the balls form a tight arrangement, withall balls touching adjacent balls. The rack typically takes the desiredshape of the balls prior to play, i.e., in games where the balls are tobe arranged and set in a triangular configuration, the rack typicallytakes a triangular form.

In general, the rack is an important piece of equipment for any game ofpool, billiards or snooker and the removal of the rack from the ballsgenerally signifies the commencement of the game. As such, in mostvenues where such games are played, each gaming table typically has arack provided therewith.

During a game of snooker, pool, billiards or the like, dust from the tipof a cue together with ash from cigarettes and general airborne dust,may accumulate on the surface of the table creating an unsightly andirregular surface which may affect the roll of the balls and thelongevity of the surface. To ensure that the surface can be readilycleaned and prepared as required, brushes are typically provided toclean the table prior to, and at times, during the game. As games aretypically played in public access venues, such as hotels, halls orclubs, brushes are often lost, stolen or generally misused, therebypreventing them from performing their function.

The present invention is directed towards providing a rack that canfunction at least as a ball arranging and setting means and which canalso receive and host information and advertising material that can bereadily changed as required, and/or which provides a means to clean thetable.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or thelike which has been included in the present specification is solely forthe purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is notto be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form partof the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the fieldrelevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority dateof each claim of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as“comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusionof a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers orsteps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, orgroup of elements, integers or steps.

According to a first aspect, the present invention is a device forarranging pool, snooker or billiard balls or the like, the devicecomprising;

a frame for receiving said balls; and

a display member having indicia provided thereon and mountable to saidframe to display said indicia.

In one embodiment, the frame may be substantially triangular in shape.In this regard, the frame may comprise at least one wall member arrangedto form a cavity for receiving the balls and arranging the balls information. In one form, the or each wall member has at least an innerand outer surface.

The display member may be in the form of a strip of flexible materialbearing advertising markings, corporate trade marks, logos or the like.The flexible material may be cardboard, paper or similar material uponwhich the indicia is applied, by for example, printing.

The display member may be detachably mounted to said outer surface ofthe wall of the frame such that it conforms to the shape thereof. In oneform, the display member is arranged to extend around some or the entireperimeter of the frame. In another form, the display member is arrangedto extend along a side of the frame.

A cover may be provided to extend over the display member. The cover maybe used to secure the display member against the upstanding portion ofthe frame. The cover may be arranged to engage with the wall of theframe. In this regard, a groove may be provided in a base of the framefor receiving an edge of the cover. The groove may be shaped andrecessed to grip the edge of the cover when received therein, to providea relatively secure attachment of the cover to the frame.

In another embodiment, an upper edge of the cover may be provided with arim portion which is shaped to receive an upper edge of the upstandingwall of the frame. In this regard, the rim portion may be shaped to fitover the upper edge of the wall of the frame thereby retaining the coverin a desired position.

The cover may be made from a clear plastic material such aspolymethylmethacrylate (PMMA or Perspex®). The cover may be readilydisengagable from the frame to facilitate removal and replacement of thedisplay member.

In yet another embodiment, the display member may be in the form of aclip. The clip may be arranged to mate with at least a portion of theframe to be secured thereto. In one form, the clip may be configured toreceive a strip of flexible material bearing advertising markings, suchas corporate trademarks, logos and the like. In another form, the clipmay be arranged such that said advertising markings are formed integraltherewith.

In another aspect, the present invention is a device for arranging pool,snooker or billiard balls, the device comprising;

a frame for receiving said balls; and

a cleaning member, said cleaning member being connectable to at least aportion of the frame.

In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the frame may betriangular in shape.

The cleaning member may comprise a brush member or a wiper member. Thecleaning member is typically used to brush or wipe dust or dirt from asnooker or pool table.

The cleaning member may be detachably connected to said at least aportion of the triangular frame. In this embodiment, one side of thetriangular frame may include a receiving means to receive the cleaningmember.

The receiving means may include an elongate runner or a series ofelongate runners spaced parallel relative one another. The runner(s) mayengage with a corresponding channel of the cleaning member. The cleaningmember may slide onto and along the runner(s) of the triangular member.Other means of connecting the cleaning member to the triangular frameare also envisaged.

Once the cleaning member is slid onto the runners of the triangularframe, said cleaning member may be locked in place by a locking means.

The cleaning member may be fixable to the triangular frame.

When affixed to the triangular flame, the cleaning member may extendfrom a first end to a second end of one side of the triangular frame.

Further, at least a portion of the cleaning member may extend beyond thefirst end and the second end of said one side of the triangular frame.In an embodiment wherein the cleaning member is a brush, bristles of thebrush may extend beyond the first end and the second end and at an anglerelative to the one side of the triangular frame. This embodiment mayenable a user to brush waste from the edges of a snooker or pool tableor from underneath rubber or other cushions at the sides of the tablewhere dust, lint and other debris may accumulate.

The cleaning member may also comprise a wiper member wherein the wipermember may comprise a back portion that is connectable with thetriangular frame. The wiper member may further comprise a skirt thatextends from the back portion. The wiper member may be made from asuitable plastics material.

In one embodiment, the wiper member may be made from a relativelyflexible material. Alternatively, the wiper member may be made from arelatively rigid material. The latter embodiment may be particularlyuseful when scraping difficult to remove waste from the table.

According to yet another aspect, the present invention is a device forarranging pool, snooker or billiard balls, the device comprising;

a frame for receiving said balls;

a display member mountable to a first portion of the frame to displayindicia; and

a cleaning member connected to a second portion of the frame.

In one embodiment of this aspect, the frame may be triangular in shape.In this regard, the first and second portions of the frame may be oneand/or two sides of the triangular frame.

In this aspect, the frame, display member and/or cleaning member canhave the features of these integers as previously described withreference to the other aspects of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the ball rack ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the ball rack ofFIG. 1, showing the manner in which the insert is attached to the rack;

FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of aball rack of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a sectional side view of the ball rack of FIG. 3A alongsection A-A;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the rack of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the rack ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a section of the rack of FIG.3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The device of the present invention is generally shown in theaccompanying drawings as 10. Whilst the present invention will bedescribed in relation to a triangular rack 10, it will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that the shape of the rack 10 could be anydesired shape as required by the game in which it is to be used. Forinstance, should the rack 10 be used in a game of 9-ball, the rack couldbe a diamond shape.

As shown in FIG. 1, the device is used to arrange and set snooker,billiard or pool balls 2 into formation and comprises a triangular frame11. The triangular frame 11 defines an open middle portion or cavity 3into which the balls 2 are received, with the open middle portion orcavity 3 being enclosed by an upright wall member 4 having an internalsurface 5 and an external surface 6. Whilst the frame 11 is shown ashaving a continuous wall member 4, it will be appreciated that in theembodiment of a triangular frame 11, the frame 11 may consist of threeindividual wall members 4 arranged in triangular formation. The internalsurface 5 of the upright wall member 4 is provided to contact theadjacent balls 2 such that the balls are retained in a relatively tightconfiguration with each of the balls in contact with its adjacent balls.In this regard, the internal surface 5 is generally made from a smoothmaterial such as a plastic or wood which enables sliding contact betweenthe balls 2 and the internal surface 5 for easy removal of the rack 10.

A flange 7 extends from the base of the upright wall member 4, away fromthe external surface 6. The flange 7 is formed integral with the uprightwall member 4, however it may also be formed separately and attached tothe upright wall member 4 via a variety of attachment means, such as anadhesive or an interference fit. In this arrangement, the flange 7 actsto contact the surface of the table (not shown) upon which the game ofpool, billiards or snooker is to be played, when the balls 2 arearranged and set in formation prior to commencement of the game.

As shown in FIG. 1, the external surface 6 of the rack 10 is provided tosupport a display member in the form of an insert 8 having a variety ofindicia provided thereon, such as advertising material, information andthe like, for presentation to the users or players of the game of pool,billiards or snooker. In the embodiment as shown, the insert 8 can beattached along the entire perimeter of the external surface 6 of theupright wall member 4, or can extend along a portion or side of theexternal surface 6, as desired.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, the insert is in the form of a thin,flexible material such as paper or a plastic, which can conform to theshape of the external surface 6 of the upright wall member 4. Theindicia may be printed or otherwise attached to the outer surface of theinsert 8 such that when the insert is positioned against the uprightwall member 4, in the direction as shown by arrow A, the indicia isreadily noticeable by the players or users of the rack 10. The insert 8is removable such that the indicia can be readily replaced and changedwhere necessary.

In this regard, the indicia could be in the form of one or more companylogos, such as brewery companies or the like, which may be advertising aproduct or range of products. Similarly, the indicia could represent asponsor of a pool, snooker or billiards tournament which is beingconducted on the associated tables, and as such the insert carrying theindicia could be readily removed and replaced to cater for a variety ofdifferent sponsors or the like. In any regard, the insert 8 provides aspace upon which information can be displayed and readily viewed byplayers or observers of the game.

The manner in which the insert 8 is retained in position on the rack 10can vary. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, a retainer element orcover 9 is provided to be placed over the insert 8 to secure the insertin position against the external surface 6 of the upright wall member 4.In this regard, a groove 16 is provided in the upper surface of theflange 7 for receiving a base edge of the cover 9. The groove 16 ispositioned a suitable distance from the external surface 6 of theupright wall member 4 to provide a space between the external surface 6and the cover 9 into which the insert 8 is received.

The groove 16 is shaped and recessed to grip the base edge of the cover9 when received therein, to provide a secure attachment of the cover 9to the rack 10. To further secure the cover 9 in position, the upperedge of the cover 9 is provided with a rim portion 9A which is shaped toreceive the upper edge of the upright wall member 4 of the rack 10. Inthis regard, the rim portion 9A is shaped to fit over the upper edge ofthe upright wall member 4 thereby retaining the cover 9 in position overthe insert 8.

The cover 9 is made from a clear plastic material such as Perspex®,which enables easy viewing of the insert 8 through the cover 9. In thisregard, the cover 9 not only acts to retain the insert 8 in positionagainst the upright wall member 4 of the rack 10, but also protects theinsert from damage during use of the rack 10.

As previously discussed, whilst FIG. 1 shows the insert 8 extendingaround the perimeter of the rack 10, it is envisaged that the insert maybe applied to only a portion of the rack 10, such as one or more of thesides of the triangular frame 11. Similarly, it will be appreciated thatthe cover 9 could be secured to the upright wall member 4 of the rack 10by way of a variety of means, as would be appreciated by those skilledin the art.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show an alternative arrangement of the rack 10 ofFIG. 1. In this arrangement, the display member is in the form of a clipelement 25, provided to be secured over a length of the upright wallmember 4 of the frame 11, such that a tab 26 of the clip element 25extends over at least some of the external surface of the upright wallmember.

As shown, the clip element 25 has an arm 27 which is movable relative tothe body of the clip element 25 to enable attachment of the clip element25 to the upright wall member 4. In this regard, the arm 27 is pivotallymovable so as to receive the upper edge of the upright wall member 4,and in doing so exerts a force against the internal surface 5 of theupright wall member 4, thereby securely attaching the clip element 25 tothe upright wall member 4. The arm 27 has a shorter length than the tab26 such that it does not interfere with the balls 2 when positionedwithin the rack 10.

One or both ends of the tab 26 of the clip element 25 may be open, toenable an insert 8, as described above, to be received therein. Theinsert 8, may be slid into position within the tab 26 prior to fixingthe clip element 25 to the frame 11, and when replacement of the insert8 is required, it can be readily removed and replaced in the samemanner. In this regard, the body of the tab 26 of the clip element 25 ismade from a clear plastic material, such as Perspex®, to enable theindicia provided on the insert 8 to be readily viewed when positionedfor use.

Such an arrangement provides ready removal and attachment of the clipelement 25 when necessary. To further facilitate attachment of the clipelement 25, the internal surface 5 of the upright wall member 4, mayhave a recess or groove (not shown) provided therein to receive aportion of the arm 27 to retain the clip element 25 in position.

Whilst the insert 8 has been shown as being removable from the clipelement 25, it will also be appreciated that the insert 8 could bepermanently attached to the clip element 25, or formed integral with theclip element 25 in the form of a printed surface of the tab 26. In sucharrangements, in order to change the indicia the entire clip element 25is removed from the frame 11 and replaced with a suitable clip element25 which contains the desired indicia.

As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the rack 10 may also be configured to incorporatea cleaning member 12, to assist in cleaning and preparing the surface ofthe game table. In this regard, the insert 8 or clip element 25 may beprovided to extend along one or two sides of the triangular frame 11,with the cleaning member 12 being connected to the remaining side(s).

The cleaning member may comprise a brush 13 as depicted in FIG. 4.Alternatively, the cleaning member may comprise a wiper or scraper 20 asshown in FIG. 5. The purpose of the cleaning member 12 being to brush orwipe dust or dirt from the game table.

The cleaning member 12 may be detachably connected to one side 14 of thetriangular frame 11.

As shown in FIG. 6, the one side 14 of the triangular frame 11 has tworunners 15 that extend from a first-end 17 of said one side 14 to asecond end 18. The cleaning member 12 (in FIG. 6 shown as a brush) has abase plate 19 from which the bristles 21 extend. The base plate 19extends from a proximal end 22 to a distal end 23 and roughlycorresponds in length to the length of the one side 14 of the triangularmember 11. The base plate 19 comprises two elongate channels 24 thatalign with the runners 15 of the one side 14 when the brush 13 isbrought into engagement with said one end 14. As shown by the arrow inFIG. 6 the brush may slide onto the runners 15.

When connected to the triangular frame 11, the cleaning member 12 mayextend from and along the entire length of the one side 14 of thetriangular frame 11.

Further, at least a portion of the cleaning member 12 may extend beyondthe ends 17, 18 of said one side 15 of the triangular frame. As shown inFIG. 6, the bristles 21 of the brush 13 may extend beyond the ends 17,18 of the one side 14 at an angle relative to the one side 14 of thetriangular frame 11. This embodiment may enable a user to brush wastefrom the edges of a snooker or pool table.

The cleaning member may also comprise a wiper member 20 as shown in FIG.5. The wiper member 20 has a back portion 30 that is connectable withthe triangular frame 11. The wiper member 20 also comprises a skirt 31that extends from the back portion 30. The wiper member 20 may be madefrom a suitable plastics material and may be made from a relativelyflexible material. Alternatively, the wiper member 20 may be made from arelatively rigid material.

Whilst the cleaning member 12 and the frame 11 have been shown as beingmanufactured to cooperate together in a mated arrangement, it isenvisaged that either the frame 11 or the cleaning member 12 could besourced from “off-the-shelf”, with either the frame 11 or the cleaningmember 12 adapted to mate with the “off-the-shelf” item.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerousvariations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown inthe specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are,therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerousvariations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown inthe specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are,therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive.

1. A device for arranging pool, snooker or billiard balls, the devicecomprising; a frame for receiving said balls; and a display memberhaving indicia provided thereon and mountable to said frame to displaysaid indicia.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the framecomprises at least one wall member arranged to form a cavity into whichsaid balls are received.
 3. A device according to claim 2, wherein theat least one wall member has at least an inner and an outer surface. 4.A device according to claim 3, wherein the display member is detachablymounted to the outer surface of the at least one wall member.
 5. Adevice according to claim 4, wherein the display member is a bodybearing commercial advertising indicia and/or corporate trade marksand/or logos.
 6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the body is madefrom a flexible material adaptable to conform to the outer surface ofthe at least one wall member.
 7. A device according to claim 6, whereinthe flexible material extends around at least a part of the frame.
 8. Adevice according to claim 6, wherein the flexible material is cardboard,paper or similar material upon which the indicia is applied.
 9. A deviceaccording to claim 7, wherein a retainer element is provided to extendat least partially over the display member.
 10. A device according toclaim 9, wherein the retainer element retains the display member inposition substantially against the outer surface of the at least onewall member.
 11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the retainerelement engages with the at least one wall member to retain the displaymember in position substantially against the outer surface of the atleast one wall member.
 12. A device according to claim 11, wherein theretainer element is disengagable from the at least one wall member tofacilitate removal and/or replacement of the display member.
 13. Adevice according to claim 9, wherein the retainer element is made from aclear plastic material such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA orPerspex®).
 14. A device according to claim 1, wherein the display memberis a clip element detachably mountable to at least a portion of theframe.
 15. A device according to claim 14, wherein the clip element isconfigured to receive a body bearing indicia, such as commercialadvertising indicia and/or corporate trade marks and/or logos.
 16. Adevice according to claim 15, wherein the body is a strip of flexiblematerial.
 17. A device according to claim 16, wherein the flexiblematerial is cardboard, paper or similar material upon which the indiciais applied.
 18. A device according to claim 14, wherein the clip elementis arranged such that said indicia is provided integral with the clipelement.
 19. A device for arranging pool, snooker or billiard balls, thedevice comprising; a frame for receiving said balls; and a cleaningmember, said cleaning member being connectable to at least a portion ofthe frame.
 20. A device according to claim 19, wherein the framecomprises at least one wall member arranged to form a cavity into whichsaid balls are received.
 21. A device according to claim 20, wherein theat least one wall member has at least an inner and an outer surface. 22.A device according to claim 21, wherein the cleaning member isconnectable to the outer surface of the at least one wall member.
 23. Adevice according to claim 19, wherein the cleaning member comprises abrush member
 24. A device according to claim 19, wherein the cleaningmember comprises a wiper member.
 25. A device according to claim 19,wherein the cleaning member comprises a combination brush member and awiper member.
 26. A device according to claim 23, wherein the cleaningmember is detachably connectable to said frame.
 27. A device accordingto claim 26, wherein said frame comprises a receiving means to receivethe cleaning member.
 28. A device according to claim 27, wherein thereceiving means includes one or more elongate runners configured toengage with one or more corresponding channels provided on said cleaningmember.
 29. A device according to claim 28, wherein the one or morecorresponding channels are slidably received by the one or more elongaterunners to connect the cleaning member to the frame.
 30. A deviceaccording to claim 19, wherein the frame is a triangular frame and thecleaning member extends from a first end to a second end of one side ofthe triangular frame.
 31. A device for arranging pool, snooker orbilliard balls, the device comprising; a frame for receiving said balls;a display member mountable to a first portion of the frame to displayindicia; and a cleaning member connected to a second portion of theframe.